'Penzance is hanging on... somewhat precariously'

"Economically I'd say Penzance was hanging on, but somewhat precariously: plenty of visitors; restaurants, bars and quirky shops packed with tat and treasure; a whiff of exoticism and a whiff of decay. The town's modest quotient of charity shops and empty premises registers perhaps a couple of notches belwo the trigger for official concern. So now would be the time to act - before the trigger. Your Mary Portas TV makeovers and your EU regeneration funds tend to kick in ater it's too late. It's better television and it's better politics; but on the whole in human affairs the point when rescue is required lies beyond the tipping point of no return. We should be readier to give up on people and places, and readier to channel effort into the very places and people that - having yet to tip - don't scream for help."

The above is an extract from a column by Matthew Parris in The Times this week about a recent trip to the Isles of Scilly. I would link to the whole article, but it's behind a paywall, so if you want to read it in full, you'll need to find a copy of Thursday's Times or subscribe to the website.
But I've posted it here as I think it's a fascinating insight into how outsiders see Penzance, particularly in the week the helicopter link with Scilly is due to close.
What do you think? Has Penzance reached the 'tipping point'? Should our council and our government be taking more notice of towns like Penzance to stop them going 'beyond the point of no return'?